How A Speeding Ticket Impacts Your Insurance In Washington
Washington has one of the fewest speed-related fatalities in the country. Getting a speeding ticket in Washington can increase your insurance cost, and it will come with a fee as well.
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If you’ve received a traffic ticket, like for speeding or a DUI, you likely noticed a big hike in your insurance costs. This increase in your premium can depend on various things, like where you live and your driving record.
With nine years of experience as a licensed insurance agent, I’ll explain how a speeding ticket affects your auto insurance in Washington.
Key Takeaways
In 2023, the Washington Department of Transportation reported 211 deadly crashes and 604 accidents with serious injuries linked to speeding.
Getting a speeding ticket for going 16 to 20 mph over the speed limit might increase your full-coverage car insurance premium by about 25%.
After getting a speeding ticket in Washington, your insurance rates are likely to go up. However, there are ways to help keep your rates down even after the ticket.
Do Speeding Tickets Affect Insurance In Washington?
As a driver, your actions on the road affect your insurance costs. We know that having an accident will raise your premium. In Washington, a speeding ticket typically raises your auto insurance premium by about 18%. However, this increase can vary a lot between different car insurance companies.
How A Speeding Ticket Impacts Your Insurance In Washington
Maintaining a clean driving record benefits drivers by keeping their insurance premiums lower. However, even a single violation can raise car insurance costs sometimes significantly, depending on the insurance provider.
In Washington, the cost of a speeding ticket varies based on the speed limit and how fast you were going. If the speed limit is 40 miles per hour (mph) or lower, fines range from $48 to $188. For areas where the limit is above 40 mph, fines go from $33 to $188. You can also get a ticket for driving “too fast for conditions,” which can result in a $48 fine, even if you are below the speed limit but still driving too quickly for safety.
Below, we’ll compare the average costs from major auto insurance companies following a ticket.
| Provider | Clean Record | Speeding Ticket | Increase |
| USAA | $1,004 | $1,191 | 19% |
| Encompass | $1,182 | $1,320 | 12% |
| Auto-Owners | $991 | $1,376 | 39% |
| State Farm | $1,416 | $1,640 | 16% |
| Progressive | $1,202 | $1,648 | 37% |
Insurance costs can change based on several factors, including your driving record, where you live, your gender, and your claim history. When you file a claim for a speeding ticket, it can affect these factors in different ways, especially depending on how serious the violation is. If the speeding ticket has additional issues, the increase in your premium can be more significant.
Important: 9 out of 10 drivers admit to speeding even though nearly 90% know that it is wrong.
How To Lower Your Premiums After A Ticket
While a speeding ticket in Washington usually results in higher insurance premiums, there are still ways to possibly lower your rates. You can try different strategies, like comparing quotes from other companies, inquiring about discounts, or changing your coverage options.
Request Quotes From Different Car Insurance Companies
One of the best ways to find lower rates is to get free quotes from several auto insurance companies in Washington. If you have multiple speeding tickets or other violations on your record, it might be a good idea to look for companies that focus on high-risk drivers as well.
Shop Around
Get quotes from different auto insurance companies, as each one may view a speeding ticket differently when setting rates in Washington.
Look For Discounts
Discounts can help lower your premiums, and they differ by insurer. Even with a speeding ticket, you might be able to reduce your premium by taking advantage of discounts like bundling policies or completing a safe driving course.
Avoid Future Violations
To help lower your premium after a speeding ticket, it’s important to drive safely and avoid any more traffic violations that could raise your rates even more.
TIME INFRACTIONS: If you get four or more violations in a twelve-month period your license will be suspended, seven or more in a twenty-four-month period.
Does A First-Time Speeding Ticket Affect Insurance?
How a first-time speeding ticket impacts your insurance premium varies by company. Some insurers may view you as a high risk, while others might be more understanding, seeing it as a learning experience. For example, companies that offer accident forgiveness might not raise your rates much at all.
Tip: Speeds below 10 MPH are classified as Class C Misdemeanors; Speeds up to and exceeding 25, or reckless driving, are Class B and A Misdemeanors.
How To Find Affordable Insurance After A Speeding Ticket
This may take some effort since each insurance company handles situations and drivers differently.
Here are some of the best ways to find affordable insurance after getting a speeding ticket:
Modify Your Coverage
One way to lower your premiums is to change your coverage options. Most states require at least basic liability coverage, but you might be able to reduce or drop other types of coverage that you don’t need anymore, such as rideshare or gap insurance. Talking to a licensed insurance agent can help you understand your choices.
You might also consider increasing your deductibles if you have comprehensive and collision coverage.
Taking A Defensive Driving Course
Taking a defensive driving course can be beneficial. Insurance companies appreciate drivers who take steps to improve after making mistakes, especially after receiving a speeding ticket. Completing this course shows that you are committed to changing your behavior and can also help lower your insurance rates.
Washington 4-Hour Defensive Driving Course: This course is for drivers who have received a traffic ticket and have been referred by the court to complete a basic 4-hour class.
Washington 8-Hour Defensive Driving Course: This course is for drivers who have already taken the 4-hour course or for repeat offenders who have been ordered by the court to take an 8-hour class.
Washington Voluntary Driver Improvement Course: This course is designed for drivers who want to enhance their safe driving skills or earn an insurance discount by completing a defensive driving program.
Change Insurance Companies
Not all insurance companies treat speeding tickets the same way. Some may impose stricter penalties, while others might give you a second chance. If your current insurer has increased your rates because of a speeding ticket, consider shopping around for better options.
What To Do After Getting A Speeding Ticket
You can either pay or contest your speeding ticket in Washington, depending on your situation. The best choice for you depends on whether the ticket was issued mistakenly and your ability to pay the fine. Remember that if you choose to pay, you’ll be admitting guilt for speeding, and this will go on your driving record, which can lead to higher insurance rates.
Pay Your Speeding Ticket
Usually, paying the fine directly is the easiest option. Your ticket will have details on how to pay, which is often through your county or city court’s online portal, by phone, or by mail.
Request A Contested Hearing
If you believe you received your ticket unfairly, you can mark the “contested hearing” box on your ticket and send it back to the court within 15 days. By asking for a contested hearing, the prosecutor will begin to summon witnesses, including the officer who gave you the ticket, to come to court.
There’s also a third option called deferred disposition. You can plead no contest and pay your fine. After that, you’ll be on probation, and if you don’t get another speeding ticket during the agreed period, the ticket won’t appear on your record.
How Long Does A Speeding Ticket Stay On My Record?
In Washington, D.C., a speeding ticket stays on your driving record permanently. Fortunately, most insurance companies only consider a speeding conviction when calculating your rates for about three years. This means your premium could go down over time as long as you don’t get any more violations or file claims.
How Much Is A Ticket In Washington?
In Washington State, the fines for a speeding ticket begin at $33 and can go up to $188 for more serious violations. If you speed in a work or school zone, or if your speeding leads to a crash with injuries or fatalities, you may face extra penalties.
But the ticket cost is just the start. Drivers in Washington with one speeding ticket pay about $1,910 a year for full coverage insurance, which is 21% higher than what drivers with clean records typically pay.
| Fine by MPH over limit | Posted Limit | School Zone | Construction Zone |
| 1 to 5 | $135 | $223 | $158 |
| 6 to 9 | $145 | $235 | $165 |
| 10 to 14 | $165 | $250 | $180 |
| 15 to 19 | $176 | $270 | $220 |
| 20 to 29 | $227 | $295 | $240 |
| 30 plus | $268 | $300 | $300 |
In Washington State, there is also a base penalty of $48 for drivers who are within the speed limit but are still going too fast for the current road conditions.
Penalties For Speeding
Here are the penalties for speeding in Washington State:
Fines
The base fine for a speeding ticket starts at $33 and can go up to $188 for more serious violations. Additional fines may apply for speeding in designated school or work zones.
Insurance Rate Increases
A speeding ticket can lead to higher insurance premiums. On average, drivers with one speeding ticket pay about 21% more for full coverage insurance compared to those with clean records.
Points On Driving Record
Speeding violations add points to your driving record. Accumulating too many points can result in a suspended license.
Deferred Disposition
Drivers may choose deferred disposition, which allows them to plead no contest and, if they stay ticket-free during the probation period, prevent the ticket from appearing on their record.
DANGEROUS FACTOR: According to the NHTSA, speeding was a factor in 29% of accident fatalities in 2022.
FAQs
What is the cheapest car insurance after a speeding ticket?
After getting a speeding ticket in Washington, finding affordable car insurance can be challenging, but some companies are known to offer competitive rates for drivers with violations. Companies like Geico, Progressive, and State Farm often provide lower premiums even after a speeding ticket.
It’s a good idea to compare quotes from multiple insurers to see who offers the best rates. According to current research, Geico offered the second-lowest average annual premium for drivers with a speeding ticket, despite the average rate hike being 34%.
How do I get a speeding ticket off my insurance?
To get a speeding ticket off your insurance in Washington, you can take a defensive driving course, which may help convince your insurer to overlook the ticket. Additionally, you can contact your insurance company to ask about any available discounts that could reduce your rates. Avoid getting any more tickets or making claims, as this can further impact your insurance costs.
Remember that a speeding ticket typically stays on your record for three years, but after that period, most insurers will not consider it when calculating your premium.
Will my insurance company find out about my speeding ticket immediately?
Your insurance company might not find out about your speeding ticket right away. Typically, they learn about it when your driving record is updated, which can take some time after the ticket is issued. However, if you report the ticket yourself during your next renewal or when applying for new insurance, they will know immediately.
It’s always a good idea to be honest with your insurer, as failing to disclose a ticket can lead to problems later on.
Sources
⇅- NHTSA – Dangers of speeding
